Project Background and Description
The Stronger Thread Network has worked to improve cultural unity and understanding among all cultures since 1984 in South Carolina and other states. Starting with the STAAR program, The Network for Serious Teens and Adults Acting Responsibly, we created and coordinated youth leadership programming across diverse communities empowering teenagers and their parents to seek a better life by defeating obstacles such as early teen pregnancy, gang violence, deficient education, illiteracy and lack of access to quality community services. This was accomplished in partnership with Save The Children, Clemson and SC State University Extension Services, the Fund for Southern Communities and other funders.
In 2008, we partnered with SERCO, South East Rural and Community Outreach, to sponsor an African American Heritage Festival, Strong Threads, in the Lower Richland County community with support from the Richland County Council. Strong Threads has continued to educate and entertain participants from SC and other states for 11 years. Over the years we’ve showcased many local artists and national artists such as Melba Moore, Jenifer Holiday and Jonathan Green. More than the entertainment, we’ve provided a cultural education to over 5,000 participants on the contributions of African Americans throughout history and locally. In February 2019, SERCO sponsored Strong Threads in collaboration with “Crossroads: Change in Rural America” – a Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit. Funds were provided by Westinghouse and Richland County Conservation.
Ultimately, the goal of THE STRONGER THREAD NETWORK is to bring all cultures and ethnic groups together in love and understanding. However, we must first seek to be educated to respect others and work together in harmony for a more peaceful world. True education starts with character building, leadership and social emotional awareness; thereby creating strong threads. We hope to accomplish this with dialogue, periodic gatherings and field studies across the state and country starting in the summer of 2019. If interested, please contact me for more information.
"Peace does not mean an absence of conflicts; differences will always be there. Peace means solving these differences through peaceful means; through dialogue, education, knowledge; and through humane ways."
Dalai Lama
CURRICULUM SUMMARY
The Stronger Thread Curriculum addresses the following needs:
-
Social Emotional Learning
-
Character and Leadership Building
-
Cultural Literacy
Rationale:
Lev Vygotsky (1896-1934): Social Development Theory argues that social interaction precedes development; consciousness and cognition are the end product of socialization and social behavior.
“Social and emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.” as stated by The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL).
CASEL’s widely used framework identifies five core competencies that when prioritized across settings – districts, schools, classrooms, families, and the wider community – can educate hearts, inspire minds, and help students navigate the world more effectively.
Strategy:
1. Self-awareness: Know your strengths and limitations, with a well-grounded sense of confidence, optimism, and a “growth mindset.”
2. Self-management: Effectively manage stress, control impulses, and motivate yourself to set and achieve goals.
3. Social awareness: Understand the perspectives of others and empathize with them, including those from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
4. Relationship skills: Communicate clearly, listen well, cooperate with others, resist inappropriate social pressure, negotiate conflict constructively, and seek and offer help when needed.
5. Responsible decision-making: Make constructive choices about personal behavior and social interactions based on ethical standards, safety, and social norms
Resources:
Social Emotional Learning: Book study, “The Adventures of Eli Benjamin Bear: A Heart’s Journey Home” by Hal Price. https://www.elibearstories.com/
The STAAR Curriculum for leadership building: Focus on accomplishment of the
TEN PRINCIPLES:
RESPECT, HONESTY, HERITAGE, FAITH, SELF-ESTEEM, WISDOM, COURAGE, SELF-DETERMINATION, INVOLVEMENT, LEADERSHIP
“Educating African American students: And how are the children: by Dr. Gloria Boutte.
Teaching Tolerance Curriculum: www.tolerance.org
Activities:
-
Field studies throughout the country
-
Membership meetings in various locations
-
Invited speakers for dialogue
-
Member sponsored community events
-
Digital connections across the world
